Perinatal risks of untreated depression during pregnancy

Lori Bonari, Natasha Pinto, Eric Ahn, Adrienne Einarson, Meir Steiner, Gideon Koren

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

425 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature on the perinatal risks involved in untreated depression during pregnancy. Method: We searched Medline and medical texts for all studies pertaining to this area up to the end of April 2003. Key phrases entered were depression and pregnancy, depression and pregnancy outcome, and depression and untreated pregnancy. We did not include bipolar depression. Results: While there is wide variability in reported effects, untreated depression during pregnancy appears to carry substantial perinatal risks. These may be direct risks to the fetus and infant or risks secondary to unhealthy maternal behaviours arising from the depression. Recent human data suggest that untreated postpartum depression, not treatment with antidepressants in pregnancy, results in adverse perinatal outcome. Conclusion: The biological dysregulation caused by gestational depression has not received appropriate attention: most studies focus on the potential but unproven risks of psychotropic medication. No in-depth discussion of the role of psychotherapy is available. Because they are not aware of the potentially catastrophic outcome of untreated maternal depression, this imbalance may lead women suffering from depression to fear teratogenic effects and refuse treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)726-735
Number of pages10
JournalCanadian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume49
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Etiology
  • Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis
  • Perinatal development
  • Pregnancy outcome
  • Prevalence
  • Untreated depression

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